The NOAAPORT
broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast communication of NOAA environmental
data and information in near-real time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast
is implemented by a commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-band.
It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications within the
National Weather Service and for providing
forecasts, warnings and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio
stations, TV, etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather
services.

The
NOAAPORT satellite communications system is operated by GTE Corp., under
contract to the NWS. The system uses satellite transmitting (i.e. "uplink")
equipment at NWS forecast offices throughout the continental
U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Each uplink site transmits NWS-generated
weather information products which are then re-broadcasted via satellite to users.

The
NOAAPORT Data Characteristics Page lists products available via
NOAAPORT. The products available are determined by current weather patterns.
More than 6,400 individual products per day are transmitted. To use
the system, users must obtain the equipment needed to receive the data
broadcast. The
NOAAPORT Manufacturers List lists companies who are manufacturers of NOAAPORT receive equipment.
Receiving systems for mobile platforms such as ships are not readily available.

As the NWS modernizes, it anticipates little change to this satellite
system. NWS may reconfigure the number and location of its satellite uplink
sites, but these changes should be transparent to subscribers.

The NWS expects, however, that modernizing operations will be matched
with a significant growth in the total number of weather products available.
As part of the transition to modernized operations, the
NWS is investigating the feasibility of using the NOAAPORT to transmit
greater numbers of forecasts
and warnings in graphical form to users for direct display on computer
terminals.